Fortunately this week's restaurant turned out almost good enough to justify a real review, completely devoid of the aforementioned wit we so suddenly lack. Temporarily rejecting the abysmal cuisine of the immediate territories, we once again ventured west to old town Pasadena. Awaiting us there was culinary salvation in the form of Sorriso Cucina Italiana, a house Italian dining that's still within the upper limits of a typical college budget.
Being the professionally foresighted reviewers we are, a good mutual friend of ours saved our collective butt by calling ahead for reservations. Despite an appreciable human density around the maitre `d's podium, by virtue of said reservations, we were vested with the crowd-parting authority of so many bearded biblical fellows.
We were promptly provided with properly positioned menus, which enumerated a practical plethora of pastas, pizzas and other particularly palatable profferings. First offered a bottle of wine but then carded for beers, we placed our orders and prepared ourselves for the ensuing wait which was necessary for the sake of authenticity of our entrees. Meanwhile, we were contentedly distracted by a tasty and frequently replenished basket of bread with Italian tomato salsa.
While waiting, we laughed at the people standing outside in the cold sans reservations. We also took note that this establishment marked a definite departure from the typical student dining venue. We were certainly not prepared for the overwhelming maturity of the patronage. In addition, Sorriso will certainly be a shoe-in for BB's Most Brightly Lit Romantic Italian Restaurant award. A candle wouldn't have made a dent in this place.
In due time, the food was presented at our table with all the resplendent color and flair of a sandblasted sousaphone. Two waiters and a waitress brought out our five entrees, expertly articulating Italian bons appetit all the while. No, we didn't have three guests named Jena, Teri, and Sissy -- we just like to sample the menu thoroughly.
Feeling only mildly, albeit pleasantly, assaulted by this barrage of unintelligible whatnots, we proceeded to feast on a meal which could only be described as sublime. The pasta was certainly prepared to the teeth, and four out of five dentists recommend it to their patients who chew noodles. At the end of our last satisfying schluck of spaghettini, we cast aside all doubt that Sorriso is infinitely better than any Italian cuisine within a 20-mile radius of Frary's pasta bar.
When one considers the fact that a mediocre meal can be obtained from any number of restaurants in this area in the $10-12 range, we found the $15 per person tab at Sorriso, which included drinks and tip, quite palatable.Besides, the sound of a good Italian accent easily makes up for the three bucks. Sorriso Cucina Italiana isalocated atta 46 E. Colorado Blvd'a, inna Pasadena. Sucha accenta might bea founda onda other enda (818) 793-2233 ora (818) 793-1813a.